I Dont Think My Yeast Has Taken Off.

[chasem]

Hey guys I have a feeling that my yeast hasnt taken off.

I started a Morgans ginger beer kit with 1 KG of dextrose to make it to 3% I added the kit yeast and kit yeast nutrients and stirred them in which I havent done before because this is the first kit to tell me to (I normally sprinkle it on and let it do its thing). I put it in to a new fermenter that has the new style air lock (not the S style) and it isnt bubbling through the lock, it has a light seal cause when I squeeze the fermenter air bubbles come through.

Is it just because it is a low percent alcohol?

Also the OG was 1030 and I put it on Saturday morning.

(I also have another set of the yeast because I spilled the first kit all over the kitchen floor. I hate can openers.)

 

[manticle]

Have you measured the gravity since? Have the points dropped?

Have you checked for signs of fermentation such as foam or condensation?

Airlock isn't much of an indicator.

 

[mauriceatron]

With a gravity of 1030, it's not going to be firing though the airlock like a stout. I am assuming that it's one of those two piece air locks (I have a couple of those) and they are not as entertaining to watch as the S bend type. You get none of that gurgle sound happening; a bit disappointing really! I make around 4~5 ginger beers per year but from scratch, never from a kit. So my kit experience is, well, non-existent. But mine don't fire through the airlock like a beer.

Stick to measuring gravity. If gravity is not decreasing, check your ferment temp and try and ensure its above 18C as it's more than likely an ale yeast or a wine yeast. Like manticle said, airlock isn't much of an indicator so stick to SG.

 

[Wisey]

Hey guys I have a feeling that my yeast hasn't taken off.

I started a Morgan's ginger beer kit with 1 KG of dextrose to make it to 3% I added the kit yeast and kit yeast nutrients and stirred them in which I haven't done before because this is the first kit to tell me to (I normally sprinkle it on and let it do its thing). I put it in to a new fermenter that has the new style air lock (not the S style) and it isn't bubbling through the lock, it has a light seal cause when I squeeze the fermenter air bubbles come through.

Is it just because it is a low percent alcohol?

Also the OG was 1030 and I put it on Saturday morning.

(I also have another set of the yeast because I spilled the first kit all over the kitchen floor. I hate can openers.)

Chase, I put one down a week ago and the same thing is happening.... I dont have a hydrometer, so I did a bit of a taste test and she is coming along nicely.... but I was worried I didnt see my air lock bubbling.

 

[lczaban]

Part of the reason why your GB will be slow to start fermentation is that there aren't the same level of yeast-friendly fermentables in a GB like there are in other beers. That's why they supply a sachet of yeast nutrient in with your kit so that your yeast has something to kick start it's reproduction with before it gets stuck into the wort.

The GB I did was pretty over-the-top in terms of fermentables, but it did kick off after a couple days. The attenuation was really high, and it took about 3 - 4 weeks to properly finish fermentation. I'd look for other signs of fermentation (krausen formation, condensation on the fermentor lid) and also check your hydrometer reading to see if that has changed. I'd give it another 24 - 48 hours to start, and then consider pitching your second yeast.

As a hint for future success, I'd try either making a yeast starter before you pitch your yeast or at least rehydrating your yeast prior to pitching on any future GBs. Toss the nutrient sachet into the mix at the same time as well. Do a forum search if you require more info - there are some excellent threads and articles out there on yeast starters and rehydration. Giving your yeast the best chance of success by either pitching a starter or rehydrated yeast will reduce your lag time, especially with GBs where the conditions for fermentation aren't as ideal as they should be.

Keep us posted as to how it turns out. In the meantime, RDWHAHB! :icon_cheers: